Porthtowan is a Cornish gem, perfect family fun and cream teas

IF golden sands and turquoise waters, fabulous seafood and friendly locals are what you look for in a family break then Cornwall must be on the shortlist for your next trip.

A rare upside to the pandemic has been the need to holiday on our own shores these last two years rather than struggling through chaotic airport queues and unending Covid forms to overpriced foreign lands.

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In doing so we discover gems like Porthtowan. Nestling on Cornwall’s Atlantic north coast lies this beautiful village with an award-winning beach offering plenty of fun for all the family, and, believe me, all our family were up for plenty of fun!

Armed with buckets, books and towels, my wife, two daughters, sandy spaniel and I hit the beach on our first morning and took no time sinking into a relaxed holiday headspace.

With feet buried in warm sand, the girls hunting for seaside treasures and dog Dizzy charging in and out of crashing surf we breathed in the stunning cove’s scenery as the day before’s drive drifted away.

We were staying at Towan Valley — a small eco-development of timber clad lodges offering the best in modern styling and facilities with the bonus of being pup friendly and just a few minutes walk from the beach.

We found it through Apsects Holidays, who have hundreds of places to choose from across the whole of Cornwall.

With loads of living space and a generously equipped kitchen our beach retreat offered all the comforts of home and more — the delighted shrieks from Molly, 11, and Maisie, seven, after discovering the hot-tub was proof of how much more.

The luxurious lodges ensure you slip into holiday mode as soon as you turn the key.

After a snack and break from the sun we were back to explore the now tide-absent beach and to our great delight a large pool that the sea gifts each time it retreats.

While a little bracing, this large natural swimming pool soon became full of joyous splashing and laughter that warmed us all.

Before long it was time for sundowners at the dunes adjacent Blue Bar with its friendly crowd of local surfers, hikers from the nearby South West Coast Path and sun-kissed tourists like ourselves.

Watching the sun slide slowly into the sea with a local beer in hand is what holiday dreams are made of and, as drinks turned to dinner of fab fish tacos we marvelled at how it had taken just one day to be fully immersed in holiday vibes.

Refreshed after a great night’s sleep in super comfy beds and an invigorating hot-tub we were keen to explore our wider vicinity — but not before trying to settle the great West Country scone debate at breakfast.

Is it Cornwall’s jam then clotted cream option as our host’s welcome pack suggested or, as my Devon-born wife attests, cream then jam?

I was in a precarious position, but no verdict was returned after greedily scoffing both options.

While Porthtowan could easily hold your interest for a week we were looking to visit nearby sights and one of them was St Ives just 20 minutes away and in particular their Tate art gallery.

Home to mainly local artists this Tate-by-the-sea is a must-see due to its manageable scale and so many exhibits capturing Cornish life.

After feasting on locally caught crab, mussels and whitebait at the Rum Crab Shack we ventured over to the south coast for a dip in Penzance’s huge Art Deco lido.

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Jubilee Pool is vast and invigorating but our post swim lazy float in the naturally heated waters were snooze inducing. The sugary hit of yummy Moomaid ice cream made in nearby Zennor was urgently administered before a short drive back to Porthtowan.

Like all great holidays, our time in Cornwall passed way too quickly in a haze of swimming, beach games, exploring and delicious dining and we had heavy hearts waving goodbye to our terrific Towan Valley home.

Let’s hope the delights of finding places in the UK like Porthtowan stay with us for years to come.

As for the scones? While Devon-style is more logical . . . for me it is Cornwall’s jam then cream version that eats better — just don’t tell my wife!

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